Author: Beth Nolte
Chemistry Connections: Equilibrium, Organic/Biochemistry, Reactions, Solids/Liquids/Gases
Description: Describes the nitrogen cycle and the role of excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers in polluting the environment. The chemistry of nitrogen, ammonia, oxides of nitrogen and nitrates are emphasized. Suggests that changes in farming methods can ameliorate the environmental effects. Includes sidebars on organic farming and the Haber-Bosch method of producing ammonia.
Author: Carolyn Ruth
Chemistry Connections: Equilibrium, Reactions, Solids/Liquids/Gases, Solutions
Description: Information on the mechanics of geyser and hot spring formations that include deep earth heating of water which dissolves various molten rock (magma) minerals (silicon dioxide, calcium carbonate) that is brought to the surface to form solidified deposits. Other chemicals in an eruption include mercury, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Last page includes two student activities: making a volcano with soap, baking soda and vinegar, and boiling water at various temperatures with a vacuum filtration flask and a faucet with a suction filtration attachment.
Author: Tim Graham
Chemistry Connections: Equilibrium, Organic/Biochemistry, Solids/Liquids/Gases, Solutions
Description: Raising a Norwegian sunken ship (torpedo, 1916) full of champagne requires understanding of the gas laws—effect of temperature, pressure on dissolved carbon dioxide in champagne. Asides on fermentation, processing champagne, what produces the fine bubbles.
Author: Lois Fruen
Chemistry Connections: Atomic Theory, Equilibrium, History/Biography, Nuclear, Organic/Biochemistry
Description: Discusses methods used to authenticate antiquities, focusing on radiocarbon dating. The process and the background science are described. Other methods described: hardness and density testing, microscopic analysis of mineral composition, mass spectrometry to measure O-18 to O-16 isotope ratios. Scientists reported the artifacts were fake, but then further research by other scientists refuted the fakery claims. The question remains unanswered. Chemistry centers on isotopic composition and presence of carbon dioxide in groundwater dissolving calcite (equilibrium equations provided).
Author: Brian Rohrig
Chemistry Connections: Bonding, Equilibrium, Solids/Liquids/Gases, Thermochemistry
Description: Describes what a drinking bird is and how it works. Explains the science behind the bird’s actions: evaporation of water cooling the top glass bulb, which lowers vapor pressure; greater vapor pressure at the bottom forces liquid up the tube until bird gets top-heavy and tips; liquid empties from tube, allowing pressure in two bulbs to equalize; process begins anew. Sidebar provides 5 additional experiments (extensions) to try with drinking birds.
Author: Jeannie Allen
Chemistry Connections: Equilibrium, Reactions, Solids/Liquids/Gases, Sustainability
Description: Describes composition of atmosphere—chemical, biological and circulation throughout the world. Ozone issue studied through satellites. Student experiment tracks atmospheric transport of fungal spores through smoke.
Author: Frank Cardulla
Chemistry Connections: Equilibrium, Reactions, Solids/Liquids/Gases
Description: Compares atmospheres of Earth, Venus and Mars. Chart summarizes chemical and physical characteristics of the three planets. Explains physical characteristics (temperature, surface erosion) because of different chemical compositions of the three atmospheres.
Author: Bob Becker
Chemistry Connections: Equilibrium, Solids/Liquids/Gases, Thermochemistry
Description: This activity description details how to create clouds in a soda bottle through phase changes and the factors responsible for the creation—condensation of water vapor through pressure changes that create a temperature change.
Author: Helen Herlocker
Chemistry Connections: Acids/Bases, Equilibrium, Reactions, Sustainability
Description: Explains the greenhouse effect; role of atmospheric chemicals absorbing infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane listed with their relative effectiveness in absorbing infrared. Diagrams.
Author: Kevin McCue
Chemistry Connections: Equilibrium, Reactions, Solids/Liquids/Gases
Description: Use of supercomputers to develop mathematical models of the atmosphere and weather patterns to forecast weather. Need data input from a variety of atmospheric parameters including emissions, deposition, transport, and chemical interactions of various gaseous components of the atmosphere. Short-term and long-term predictions of changing weather conditions have different limitations.
Log In